All you need to know about using custom Shopify themes for your store

If you’re running a Shopify store, you know first impressions matter. Your store's design can make or break your business by affecting what visitors do next. That’s where custom Shopify themes come in. They’re more than just a pretty face. They’re crucial for Shopify conversion rate optimization. This blog will help you explore how custom themes can enhance your store's look and boost performance, giving you a roadmap to success.

Tools like Instant's Shopify product page builder make it easy to tailor your store to your brand’s unique vibe.

Table of Contents

• What are custom Shopify themes?

• How customization works

• Advantages of custom Shopify themes

• Off the shelf vs custom Shopify themes

• How can I get custom Shopify themes for my store

• Creating custom Shopify themes from scratch

• Cons of building custom Shopify themes from scratch

• Creating custom Shopify themes with page builders

• How much does a custom Shopify theme cost?

• Faqs on custom Shopify themes

• Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify product page builder

What are custom Shopify themes?

Custom Shopify themes are the key to transforming a generic online store into a unique shopping experience. They can be modified versions of existing themes or new designs built from scratch.

Tailored themes

Using custom themes, store owners can escape the confines of default styles and craft a storefront that aligns perfectly with their brand vision. These themes can include specific layouts for different products or categories, so each item is presented in a way that highlights its unique characteristics. 

Whether showcasing high-end fashion or quirky handmade goods, custom themes allow you to tailor the presentation to fit your audience.

How customization works

Shopify offers a suite of tools for customizing themes, with:

• Liquid

• HTML

• CSS

• JavaScript

Liquid acts as Shopify's templating language, allowing developers to create dynamic content and customize how products are displayed on the storefront. Store owners can modify existing themes through the Shopify admin panel or dive deeper by creating new ones using the Shopify CLI. 

Page builders and third-party apps offer drag-and-drop functionality for those who find coding daunting. These tools let users design their store visually without needing a technical background. The flexibility and ease of customization ensure that every store can achieve the desired look and feel.

Advantages of custom Shopify themes

When someone visits your Shopify store, you have 50 milliseconds to impress them. Customize the layout, color scheme, and typography to wow your visitors immediately. 

A visually stunning theme that syncs with your brand will encourage them to stick around and explore.

Set the tone for your brand

Your store's design isn't just about looks; it's about vibes. Whether aiming for elegance, playfulness, or eco-friendly vibes, a well-customized theme can show your brand’s personality from the rooftops. It’s like setting a soundtrack for your brand, ensuring customers know exactly what you’re about.

Boost the user experience

A slick, customized design isn’t just pretty—it’s practical. Clear navigation, fast loading times, and responsive elements make shopping a breeze.

Help your customers easily find what they want, and you'll see engagement and conversions soar.

Stand out in a crowded market

The e-commerce world is packed. A unique, visually appealing Shopify store gives you an edge. Make your brand:

• Distinct and memorable

• Customers are more likely to return

Building long-term loyalty starts with standing out from the crowd.

Stay current and trendy

Customization keeps your store fresh and relevant. Adapt to seasons, special promotions, and trends and engage your customers. 

Whether it’s a holiday theme or a new product launch, updating your design encourages: 

• Exploration 

• Repeat business

Instant's product page builder

Ready to take your Shopify store to the next level? Instant is a user-friendly Shopify product page builder that helps you create fully customizable pages without coding. 

With its drag-and-drop interface, Instant's Shopify product page builder allows you to design high-converting pages while maintaining complete control over your store's design. Try Instant's product page builder today!

Off the shelf vs custom Shopify themes

Off-the-shelf Shopify themes offer a fast and convenient way to get your online store up and running. These pre-designed templates are ready, allowing businesses to set up shop with minimal fuss. Think of them as the IKEA of Shopify themes:

• Stylish

• Functional

• Budget-friendly

Theme limitations

You can tweak things like colors and fonts to suit your brand, but customization is generally limited to what's available in the theme editor. 

This makes them ideal for businesses that want a quick solution without breaking the bank. The trade-off for speed and ease is often a lack of deep personalization.

Tailor-made to perfection

When you need a theme that's as unique as your business, custom Shopify themes are the way to go. Unlike off-the-shelf options, these themes are designed and developed from scratch to meet your needs. 

Want a custom checkout process or advanced filtering options? A custom theme can handle those and more.

Custom development

The process typically involves working with developers and designers, which can be more expensive and time-consuming. But the payoff is a storefront that's completely aligned with your vision and brand.

The role of page builders in creating custom themes

Page builders like Instant have become popular tools for creating custom Shopify themes without needing to code. They allow you to take an existing off-the-shelf theme and transform it into something more:

• Unique 

• Personalized

This is especially useful for store owners who want the flexibility of a custom theme but don’t have the budget or time to work with developers. With a page builder, you can create a storefront that stands out from the crowd without starting from scratch.

How can I get custom Shopify themes for my store

Looking for a theme that stands out from the crowd? Check out third-party marketplaces like:

• ThemeForest 

• TemplateMonster

These platforms offer a treasure trove of Shopify themes crafted by independent developers. You’ll find designs that break the mold and functionalities that push the envelope. 

Once you’ve snagged a theme, uploading it to your store is a cinch. Head to Online Store > Themes, then hit the upload button, and you’re off to the races.

Custom development: Tailor-made themes for your brand

Want a store that screams “you”? Consider hiring a developer or agency to create a custom Shopify theme. This route allows you to build a theme from the ground up to fit your needs and brand vision. 

Developers use Shopify’s Liquid templating language, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create bespoke products. The possibilities are endless, whether starting from scratch or tweaking an existing theme.

Page builders: Design without the code

Not a coder? No problem. Dive into page builders like Shogun or GemPages. These tools let you customize themes with drag-and-drop ease. 

You’ll have access to pre-designed templates and elements, making it simple to create a gorgeous storefront without breaking a sweat. It’s all about making design accessible and fun.

Theme customization through Shopify’s editor

Once you’ve got your base theme, it’s time to make it yours. Shopify’s theme editor is your best friend here. You can:

• Tweak colors

• Fonts

• Layouts without touching a line of code 

Go to Online Store > Themes, select your theme, and hit “Customize.” It’s perfect for quick adjustments that make a big impact.

Create custom templates for specific products

Do you have products that need their special look? You can create custom templates in Shopify using:

• Liquid

• HTML

• CSS

This lets you tailor presentations for different product types or categories. And if coding isn’t your thing, some page builders offer features that simplify this process, too.

Shopify online store 2.0: The next level of customization

Shopify’s Online Store 2.0 takes customization to a whole new level. Released in June 2021, this upgrade brings:

• New theme architecture 

• Increased customization options

It also makes integration with Shopify apps smoother, reducing the time to get a custom theme up and running. It’s all about giving store owners more control and a better-performing site.

Creating custom Shopify themes from scratch

Building a Shopify theme from scratch isn’t just about aesthetics. You need a deep understanding of web design principles and coding. Get ready to dive into:

• Liquid

• HTML

• CSS

• JavaScript

• JSON

Your goal is to create a unique, functional theme that stands out. But before you start coding, you need a plan.

Planning your custom Shopify theme

Before you write a single line of code, you must outline your vision. This is the requirements phase, and it’s crucial. You’ll define how you want the theme to:

• Look

• Feel

• Function

Getting this part right sets the stage for a successful build.

Research and validation

With your plan in hand, it’s time to test your ideas. Do your design and features align with shopper preferences? Look for successful Shopify stores with similar strategies. 

Use SEO tools to analyze their stats. If they’re doing well, you might want to mimic their approach.

Setting up Shopify CLI

Now, you’re ready to start building. Set up Shopify CLI on your device. Depending on your operating system, you’ll need different tools. Windows requires:

• Node.js

• Ruby+Devkit

• Git

• Bundler

Tool requirements

LinUX users need:

• Node.js

• Ruby

• Few other tools 

Mac users can install Shopify CLI using Homebrew, which simplifies the process.

Cloning the dawn theme

Clone the Dawn theme’s GitHub repository. This gives you a solid foundation from which to start. Pay special attention to the critical path—the journey from the landing page to checkout.

Focus on key pages like the homepage, product pages, and checkout. Your theme must be “substantively different” from Dawn in design and functionality.

Syncing your development work

While building your theme, sync your Git repository with Shopify and your local directory. This ensures your changes are stored automatically and can be pushed to the online store. You can also add themes from Shopify’s store to your theme library via Git integration.

Testing and previewing

Regularly test and preview your theme to see how it looks and feels for users. Use Shopify’s theme dev command to preview changes in real-time. 

This command reloads CSS and section changes Instantly, letting you preview in Google Chrome. You can generate a permanent link to the theme for sharing or upload it to your theme library.

Publishing your custom theme

Before going live, review your theme thoroughly. Once you’re satisfied, use the theme push command to launch it. This is your moment to see your hard work come to life.

Cons of building custom Shopify themes from scratch

Time is money: Custom themes can drain both

Building a custom Shopify theme from scratch wastes your time and, by extension, your profits. Imagine you're knee-deep in a project, thinking you're about to wrap up when, suddenly, bug fixes rear their ugly heads.

Each bug is time-consuming, chipping away at your hourly rate and extending the project beyond what you budgeted for. If you’re a freelancer, you know that feeling of wanting to move on but can’t because you’re stuck in a never-ending loop of tweaks and fixes.

UX matters: Crazy designs can confuse

While your client might dream of a custom, out-of-the-box design, you must guide them toward something that makes sense for e-commerce. Shoppers expect a specific flow and navigation in an online store.

Deviating too far from that can confuse them, and confused shoppers don’t buy. The most successful stores use tried-and-true user experience patterns while adding subtle, creative touches.

The cost factor: Custom can get pricey

Custom themes can quickly become a money pit. If your client wants features beyond the basics, be prepared for costs to go up. Often, existing themes come with these features built-in, or an app can easily integrate them. This isn't just about your time but your client's budget, too. 

Spending less on custom development gives them more room to invest in areas that directly improve their store’s performance.

Developer required: Design skills aren't enough

Building a theme from scratch requires both a designer and a developer. Many designers, who are typically approached by clients for custom work, lack the advanced coding skills needed to build a theme from the ground up. 

Be upfront with your client. Designing a theme and coding one are two very different skill sets. They'll appreciate your honesty and better understand the scope of the work involved.

Maintenance overload: Custom themes need care

All themes need maintenance, but custom ones require a lot more. When you use an existing Shopify theme, developers regularly update it to keep it:

• Fast

• Compatible

• Accessible

Those updates are often a click away, while maintaining a custom theme means you or your developer must handle everything. That’s a lot of work, and it doesn’t stop once the store is live. If you’re not prepared to commit to ongoing maintenance, a custom theme might not be the best choice.

Creating custom Shopify themes with page builders

Page builders are game-changers for Shopify users. They enable you to customize your store without needing advanced technical skills. Take Instant, which provides an intuitive interface for modifying your store’s pages. 

Install a page builder app from the Shopify App Store to get started. With a drag-and-drop approach, you can quickly create and edit custom pages.

Master the page builder interface

Once you’ve chosen a page builder, you’ll find a user-friendly dashboard to edit different sections of your store. You can easily switch between various pages, such as:

• The homepage

• Product pages

• Collection pages

This flexibility lets you see how changes look across different devices to ensure responsive design. 

Create stunning page layouts

Page builders allow you to create custom layouts by adding sections and blocks to your pages. Insert elements like:

• Images

• text blocks

• Buttons

• product lists

Simply find the add section option within the builder and choose from various content types. Experiment with different designs and arrangements until you find what suits your brand.

Fine-tune your store's aesthetic

With a page builder, you have complete control over design elements like:

• Colors

• Fonts

• Spacing

Use these customization options to align your store with your brand identity. Adjusting these details can significantly:

• Improve your site’s overall aesthetic 

• Enhance user experience

Speed up design with templates

Many page builders, including Instant, have pre-designed templates to kickstart your custom pages. Select a template that fits your needs and modify it to suit your preferences. 

This feature is useful for quickly creating landing pages or promotional content without starting from scratch. Alternatively, you can create templates for a unique store look.

Preview before you publish

Before publishing any changes, use the preview function to see how your modifications will appear on:

• Desktop 

• Mobile devices

This step is crucial for ensuring your site is visually appealing and functional across all platforms.

Hit publish and optimize

Once you’re satisfied with the design and layout of your pages, you can save or publish them directly through the page builder interface. Instant also offers options for conducting A/B testing to optimize performance.

Instant: Your no-code Shopify product page builder

Instant boosts your Shopify store effortlessly. As a user-friendly Shopify product page builder, it empowers eCommerce teams and agencies to create fully customizable and advanced pages without any coding knowledge.

Versatile builder

With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can quickly design and publish:

• High-converting landing pages

• Blog posts

• Product pages

• Sections, all while maintaining complete control over their store's design

Instant also offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing online store performance and increasing conversions. 

Try Instant's Shopify product page builder today!

How much does a custom Shopify theme cost?

How much does a custom Shopify theme cost? Well, it depends on where you hire your developer. If you’re working with a US-based developer, expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000. 

Cost factors

This depends on whether you’re after a unique feature set, modifications to a pre-purchased template, or a fully bespoke store.

If you look outside the US, the cost can range from $300 to $5,000. This depends on several factors.

Design complexity: The more you want, the more it costs

The complexity of your design will undoubtedly affect the price. A simple custom theme might be more affordable. 

But the price will increase if you’re going for something intricate with unique features and functionalities.

Location matters: Where you hire affects your budget

Developer location plays a crucial role in determining costs. US-based developers typically charge more, while those from regions with lower living costs might offer services starting at $1,000.

Features and functionalities: More features, more dollars

If your store needs advanced features like custom product layouts or integrations with third-party apps, expect these to add to the overall cost. Such requirements are bound to increase what you pay.

Faqs on custom Shopify themes

Yes, you absolutely can create your own Shopify theme. This is where the Shopify CLI comes in handy. You'll kick things off using the `Shopify theme init` command. 

This clones the Dawn theme, Shopify’s reference theme, onto your local machine. From there, the code is yours to customize. Dive into it and start making changes that align with your brand vision.

Page builders

Page builders offer a user-friendly alternative if you’re not keen on coding from scratch. These tools let you drag and drop elements, making it easy to transform existing themes like Dawn into something uniquely yours.

How much can you really customize a Shopify theme?

You have a lot of options when it comes to personalizing your Shopify theme. The theme editor in your Shopify admin panel is your first stop. Here, you can:

• Easily tweak settings

• Rearrange sections

• Add or remove content

But if you want to get into the nitty-gritty, you can always dive into the code. Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and Liquid (Shopify's templating language) will allow you to make more precise adjustments.

Which Shopify theme gives you maximum flexibility?

Dawn often stands out as the most flexible Shopify theme. It’s built for versatility and speed, making it a favorite among developers who want to create custom themes. Its clean code and thorough documentation make it an excellent starting point.

But don’t overlook other themes like:

• Flex 

• Turbo

Deep customization

They also offer high levels of customization, with built-in features that let you tweak without navigating the code.

Getting started with your custom Shopify theme

Ready to build your custom Shopify theme? Set up your development environment by installing Shopify CLI. With that done, you can initialize a new theme using the command `Shopify theme init`, followed by naming your theme. 

Run `Shopify theme dev` to start a local server, letting you see changes in real time. Once you’re happy with your work, use `Shopify theme push` to upload your changes and `Shopify theme publish` to make them live.

Is switching Shopify themes complicated?

Not at all. Shopify makes it easy to change your theme whenever you like. You can store up to 20 themes in your library.

This means you can experiment with different designs without losing data or customizations. It’s a great way to find the look and feel that best suits your brand.

Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify product page builder

Imagine having a tool that lets you shape your Shopify store’s product pages without needing a developer. Instant, a game-changer for eCommerce teams and agencies. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Instant makes it simple to design and publish:

• High-converting landing pages

• Blog posts

• Custom Shopify themes 

You control your store’s look and feel without touching code. It’s a powerful way to boost conversions and improve the customer experience.

Seamless Integration with Figma and More

Could you bring your Figma designs directly into your Shopify store? Instant makes that wish come true. It integrates seamlessly with Figma, allowing you to import your designs without losing any detail. 

This means you can easily plan your pages in Figma and then bring them to life in Shopify. Instant also plays nice with other eCommerce tools, giving you the flexibility to use your favorite tools and workflows.

Empowering non-technical teams

Instant isn’t just for developers. It’s designed for everyone on your eCommerce team. The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for anyone to create and customize pages. 

This empowers your team to be more flexible and responsive, allowing you to make changes and updates without waiting on a developer. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.